When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv LinkedIn.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that also initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really assist expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and zero system fees (aside from the common Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Attaching my customized domain name? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv LinkedIn
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based upon just how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brands in a manner that does not really feel nasty or required. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv LinkedIn.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd insect or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain a lot more, and tension much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.